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Definitions

in the bud

ADJECTIVE
early
Synonyms
STRONGEST
beforehand briefly directly immediately prematurely previous promptly quick shortly soon too soon unexpectedly
STRONG
betimes
WEAK
a bit previous ahead of time anon bright and early early bird ere long far ahead in advance in good time in time on short notice on the dot oversoon pronto proximately
Antonyms
WEAK
late later
ADJECTIVE
immature
Synonyms
STRONGEST
childish premature
STRONG
green unfledged unripe
WEAK
adolescent baby babyish callow crude half-grown imperfect infantile infantine jejune juvenile kid kidstuff puerile raw sophomoric tender tenderfoot underdeveloped undergrown undeveloped unfinished unformed unseasonable unseasoned unsophisticated untimely wet behind ears youthful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
mature
WEAK
adult developed experienced grown old
ADJECTIVE
undeveloped
Synonyms
STRONGEST
backward primitive underdeveloped
WEAK
abortive behindhand embryonic half-baked ignored inchoate incipient inexperienced latent potential primordial unactualized unevolved unprogressive untaught untrained
Antonyms
WEAK
adult developed grown mature

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So the money bouquet culture is unlikely to be nipped in the bud any time soon.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

Hilton Worldwide Holdings appeared earlier this month to have nipped a similar public-relations crisis in the bud.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

This is why a lot of Jews want to nip that rhetoric in the bud.

From Slate • Dec. 19, 2025

Years later, when it appeared their feud might be heating up again, the two NBA greats took to social media to nip that notion in the bud.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 14, 2025

In fact, he hardly dared exit, even for food, lest a wayward shotgun pellet nip his delicate aesthetic life in the bud.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols